Fast-casual salad brand Saladworks has partnered with Ghost Kitchen Brands to bring 60 non-traditional locations to the U.S. and 30 to Canada by the end of 2021, doubling its footprint across the two countries. Many of these new kitchens will live inside Walmart stores offering some seating; all locations included in the deal will offer carry-out and third-party delivery.
“Saladworks is a perfect strategic partner for Ghost Kitchen Brands as we continue to grow and reinvent the restaurant industry with our unique restaurant concept,” said George Kottas, founder and CEO of Ghost Kitchen Brands. “We are excited to include Saladworks’ range of healthy and flavorful options to our customers allowing customizations and combinations with other brands, all in the convenience of one order.”
Saladworks, which is part of the newly formed WOWorks family of brands, has around 130 locations in North America. The deal will bring Saladworks into untapped states, including South Carolina, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington, as well as Canadian provinces, including Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
Fellow WOWorks brands Frutta Bowls and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh have also partnered with Ghost Kitchen Brands for expansion as part of a smaller test agreement. Saladworks’ parent company recently acquired Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek to form WOWorks.
“We are very excited to have Saladworks included in this growth vertical to bring our healthy, fresh concept to millions of new guests across North America,” said Eric Lavinder, Chief Development Officer for WOWorks. “Ghost kitchens have already proven to be an economical and highly successful expansion tactic for us, and this new deal with Ghost Kitchen Brands will allow us to continue solidifying Saladworks as the leading fast-casual salad brand.”
